Do you like some Shakespeare, and do you think it’s sexy, to watch his plays under the stars? If yes, you’re going to be thrilled with this Shakespeare filled week on Toronto’s indoor AND outdoor stages! It’s not all Shakespeare though, and our publisher Megan is on hand to share her top picks in RED. Check them out below the cut:
Continue reading Playlistings in Toronto for the week of July 24th
Permanence is intimate and romantically charged, at the Tarragon Theatre in TorontoPermanence, produced and presented by Libby Brodie Productions, brings a taut, sexy drama to Tarragon Theatre. I felt deeply immersed in the world of the play, which was excellent on every level: the performances were grounded and honest, the script nimbly avoided the temptations of cliché, and the sound and lighting made significant contributions to the story.
Continue reading Review: Permanence (Libby Brodie Productions)
Mind-boggling physical theatre, Flooded sets sail on the Pirate Life in TorontoMy adventure into exploring Flooded, directed by Ara Glenn Johanson, started with my desire to explore the unknown. Reading the press release for the show, I knew it would take place on board The Pirate Life ship, it involved highly physical theatre presented in a non-narrative style, and there was something about the pelvis which I perceived as this show would be raunchy. I learned just enough to find this production wacky which was all I need to want to explore further, but I still had no idea what I was walking into. I also figured that at the very least I got to hang out on a boat for an hour.
Burn This is “gritty” and “intense” theatre that captivates Toronto audiencesI enjoy all kinds of theatre, from the grand spectacle of mega musicals to the gritty naturalism of kitchen sink dramas. I have a particular obsession, though, with gritty and intense productions in unconventional venues. I am also drawn to poetic narratives where the language itself takes you to a very special place. With their stunning production of Lanford Wilson’s Burn This, Gracemoon Arts Company has crafted a theatrical experience that seems tailored to my very specific sensibilities. Continue reading Review: Burn This (Gracemoon Arts Company)
Canadian Stage presents Twelth Night outdoors at the High Park Ampitheatre in TorontoThere’s always something magical about watching Shakespeare in the High Park Amphitheatre. Amid the picnic blankets and dusky summer air, the 400-year-old words of Twelfth Night leap vividly to life in this production by Canadian Stage in collaboration with the School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University. Music and laughter fuel this fun, colourful adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, now wrapped in an aesthetic of tie-dye, Beatles glasses, and references to the funky chicken.
Continue reading Review: Shakespeare in High Park – Twelfth Night (Canadian Stage)
She Stoops to Conquer is great outdoor theatre in the Toronto east end, a summer mustShe Stoops to Conquer, currently being presented by Guild Festival Theatre, embodies many of the things I love about summer in Toronto. While others may head to the cottage, I am happiest travelling around the city to watch theatre outside. Both the setting, Guild Park in Scarborough, and the company were new to me. And I was happy I got the chance to expand my theatrical and geographic horizons. Continue reading Review: She Stoops to Conquer (Guild Festival Theatre)
Immersive play Hogtown opens its doors to the Toronto publicHogtown: The Immersive Experience (The Hogtown Collective), now playing at Toronto’s historic Campbell House, embraces the concept of participatory choose-your-own-adventure theatre that has been so popular with audiences in such shows as Sleep No More. It’s a site-specific formula that works extraordinarily well: give the audience a set-up, and then let them roam around as stories unfold simultaneously, following whichever characters intrigue them. Hogtown delivers this intrigue in spades. Continue reading Review: Hogtown: The Immersive Experience (The Hogtown Collective)
Live theatre shows in Toronto with ticket prices of $25 or less, playing the week of July 18th, 2017. Perfect for the budget-conscious theatre-goer. Musical women, pirates, and puppets are the main offerings in Toronto this week! Check them out below the cut:
Continue reading Cheap Theatre in Toronto the Week of July 18th
Soulpepper Theatre presents Vimy, playing as part of Canada 150 in TorontoContinuing with the celebration of Canada 150, Soulpepper presents a play written by Governor General’s Award winning playwright Vern Thiessen. Vimy explores the battle of Vimy Ridge, one of the great battles that shaped the outcome of World War I. In a gut-wrenching and emotionally tumultuous performance, Vimy is a story that will leave you stunned and speechless.
Celebrating 35 years, Canadian Stage presents Shakespeare in High Park, King Lear, in TorontoIf you’re a theatre lover, then you clearly know that summers in Toronto are not complete without spending an evening under the stars watching one of the Bard’s classics play out in High Park. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Canadian Stage‘s Shakespeare in High Park, the longest-running outdoor theatre event in Canada. For this momentous year, Canadian Stage presents the Bard’s tragic tale of the downfall of pride that leads to madness, King Lear.
Continue reading Review: Shakespeare in High Park – King Lear (Canadian Stage)